Not Too Big, Not Too Small

A main idea has to be the right size. If it is too small, it is just one detail. If it is too big, it is about much more than the text. Read: 'Penguins cannot fly. But they are great swimmers. They use their wings like flippers.

' Too small: 'Penguins have wings. ' Too big: 'All birds are interesting. ' Just right: 'Penguins are swimmers, not fliers. ' The just-right one covers every sentence and nothing extra.

Like Goldilocks with the porridge, keep testing until the main idea fits just right.

• 1Too small = only one detail.
• 2Too big = more than the text covers.
• 3Just right = covers every sentence, nothing extra.